does everyone baby there chicks?

[jtbrown]

2nd the ouch. However, it also depends on your purpose of having chickens -- if you look at the chickens as (livestock) meat producer/egg producer versus hobby/pet or some combination of the above. Most of us fall somewhere in the realm in between livestock and household pet. Being new, I've thankfully learned in 3 months that these are hardy little animals, I use care and caution, but they are not as fragile as I first thought. In taking these animals onto my hobby farm, I will do what is reasonably necessary to provide a good life for them. We each have different ideas of extreme.

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
Amen to that. If it is over 55 degrees at night they do not need any heat source, no matter the age. They also do not need ice water, misters, swimming areas and air conditioning during the summer. It is the owners of the chickens who apparently need all of these things as some sort of psychological crutch when they are using the chicks as a child substitute.

Gotta disagree with part of that.. I live in Texas.. it's hot and very dry this summer.. my birds are livestock.. they are here for meat and eggs.. however if it's 100 degrees out and I go outside and they are standing there panting and holding their wings out.. they get the mister turned on.. it's not to benefit any psychological crutch of mine.. it's to keep the birds.. our future meals.. from keeling over from heatstroke and to keep the girls laying eggs. Dead birds don't lay eggs..and I really would prefer to butcher them when I am ready and not when Mother Nature decides to try to bake them in the Texas heat

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
Mine are livestock.. however I will tend to their needs as is fit for livestock.. if they are sick they get medication.. if they are looking like they are suffering from the heat they get misters turned on.. they are an investment.. and if i ignore their basic needs.. to me that would be a form of neglect.. not to mention I would prefer to have them alive and healthy to provide my husband and myself with the best quality meat and eggs possible without going bankrupt in the process

Some people will spend hundreds of dollars on an individual bird if it gets sick.. I will spend what is reasonable for livestock.. to each his own.. They tend to their animals as they see fit.. and I tend to mine as I do.. it's all a matter of perspective

 

[Hoosier_RIRs]

Quote:
Mine are livestock.. however I will tend to their needs as is fit for livestock.. if they are sick they get medication.. if they are looking like they are suffering from the heat they get misters turned on.. they are an investment.. and if i ignore their basic needs.. to me that would be a form of neglect.. not to mention I would prefer to have them alive and healthy to provide my husband and myself with the best quality meat and eggs possible without going bankrupt in the process

Some people will spend hundreds of dollars on an individual bird if it gets sick.. I will spend what is reasonable for livestock.. to each his own.. They tend to their animals as they see fit.. and I tend to mine as I do.. it's all a matter of perspective

Now THAT is one of the few post I've ever been able to agree with 100% !!

 

[Amyh]

I do agree that SOME people use animals as a substitute for children. I see it in my brother and his girlfriend with their dogs. I have never seen a two dogs have so many health issues and problems. It's like problems are created just so that the two humans can solve something... very sad.

I have seen this exact thing here, but it is not the norm. Thank goodness.

I think that most people follow the guidelines and try to do their best. I personally never brood inside the house, use minimal heat and have happy and healthy chickens.

 

[Nicole01]

I sure do. They are my pets and I love them very much! I spend every free moment I have, which is a lot. I personally don't care what anyone thinks about my chicken rearing/ranching. They are very happy and healthly chickens! They help me get through life and take my mind of the severe disabling pain I deal with every second of my day.(I broke my neck 3 years ago) My chicks make me very happy and they are a wonderful new addition in our household.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Amen to that. If it is over 55 degrees at night they do not need any heat source, no matter the age. They also do not need ice water, misters, swimming areas and air conditioning during the summer. It is the owners of the chickens who apparently need all of these things as some sort of psychological crutch when they are using the chicks as a child substitute.

Wow. You've never heard of those of us who live where it regularly gets over 100 degrees in the summer losing chickens to the heat, I guess.

Ouch x6

 

[Roccomanchickens]

Yes; to the chickens are an investment! This is my first time raising chickens in Arkansas, the other times have been California and Idaho. It is a world of difference that if you have never experienced, cannot be described. The heat this week is horrible! and not even August yet. I made a mistake and am raising cornish x right now. They are 2 and 1 week old (the replacements for the 12 that died in transit from the hatchery). I have NEVER in my life "babied" a chicken until now. The fan is on, the kiddie pool is out, can't find a mister anywhere (going to try to make one myself), and right now the trays are full of water in the freezer making ice.

All of us have a different agenda with chickens, some are pets, some are food. Either way they are important to us. Well, even another agenda is just maybe "just chickens", but that's ok too. Everyone has different sensitivities when it comes to taking care of them. That is what makes reading these posts so interesting, hearing what other people experience.

 

[MuckyPuppy]

Our chicks are pets and will be spoiled but they are not children subs. We already have 4 kiddos.

I was raised on a small family farm and my parents did not in any way baby the farm animals. Every animal and plant had a job to do. The only time my mom had/has ever babied an animal was our runt pet pig, Sausage. Mom called the vet out about 4 times because he developed a hernia. The last time the vet came he told mom that he wouldn't be able to do anything the next time so the next time it happened poor Sausage became sausages ...... and roasts ...... and chops ....... the sibs and I couldn't bring ourselves to eat pork for a long long time.